Throwing machine



April 20, 1937. F. H. SCHWERIN THROWING MACHINE Filed Nov. .7, 1955 2Sheets-Sheet 1 34 38 3912 34 34 35 38 z awg vjgTo April 1937- F. H.SCHWERIN 2,078,166

THROWING MACHINE Filed Nov. '7, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 0 INVENTOR 9.WAW

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 20, 1931 uNi-rso STATES PATENT/OFFICE Dull-NortonManufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa a corporation of PennsylvaniaApplication November 7, 1933, Serial No. 6,963

4Ciaims.

This invention relates to throwing machines, and more particularly totarget throwing machines of the type having a spring-operated throwingarm with an electric motor and clutch mechanism for restoring'thethrowing arm and tensioning the spring.

Such machines have a continuously running motor and driving mechanismthrough which the motor moves the carrier or throwing arm 1 intoretracted position and slightly beyond dead center so that the tensionof the spring tends to move the arm further in the same direction. Assoon as the arm reaches such a position, the clutch is automaticallydisengaged and thearm 15 is held in retracted position by a trip latch.when this latch is released, the throwing arm 3 is rotated rapidly bythe spring through an angle of approximately 180 and throws the target.The clutch is automatically engaged when the g arm again slows down tothe rotative speed of the clutch mechanism.

The trip latch is ordinarily released by a solenoidl which can becontrolled from an electric push-button switch at the. end of a flexibleas cable. This is advantageous when trap shooting because it makes thelocation of the referee, or puller, optional, and thus makes the commandof pull always audible to him. When the button is pressed, the targetrelease is substantially an instantaneous and with such smooth actionthat there is no danger of breaking the target while releasing it.

Target throwing machines of this character eliminate the flinchproducing pull, and there 35 is no wobbling or jumping 01' the framewhen the target is released regardless of the speed at which it isoperated.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved electricthrowing machine which is cf- 40 ficient and dependable, and has itsparts in a particularly compact relationship, and in which the springtension, angle of elevation, and/or direction of release can becontrolled manually from the rear of the machine where the operator 45is not exposed to injury in case of accidental operation of the machine.The invention is particularly intended for throwing targets, butfeatures of the invention are applicable to the throwing of variousobjects. With a suitable 50 carrier arm, \the invention can be used forthrowing balls or other projectiles.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric targetthrowing machine in which the force and direction of throwing can be ac-55 curately controlled to obtain such uniform re- (Ci. 12H) suits thattwo machines, because of perfect synchronizatio are all that arenecessary for throwing singles, perfect doubles and sheet.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear orbe pointed out as the s specification proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings. forming part hereof:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the rear and one side of a targetthrowing machine embodying the invention; I

' Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged top plan view of the machine showninFlg. 1, with the targets removed;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fi 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged vertical sec-. tion showing most of.the operating mechanism and latching means of. the machine illustratedin the other views; r I

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the latching means shown in Fig. 4; and 4Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line 6-4 of Fig. 5, with the motoralso shown. I

The throwing machine includes a base II and 5 an upwardly extendingsupport II. A. frame I4 is pivotally connected to the support I! by abolt I 6 and can be held against pivotal movement by a locking knob l8,which threads on a stud 20 extending from the frame It and through anarcuate slot in the support H. The locking knob clamps a square washer22, having a notched face, against a notched surface along the sides ofthe slot. The frame It is thus securely locked against pivotal movement.

. When the frame it is to be moved about the pivot bolt It to change theangle of elevation at which the targets are thrown, the knob i8 isbacked off so that the washer 22 can move out of the notches on thesurface of the sup- 40 port 12, and the stud 20 move freely along theslot. Thus, the knob i8 and its associated elements comprise manuallyoperated means for controlling the angle of elevation at which thetargets are thrown. The frame II has a rearward extension, and a handle24 connected to this extension of the frame provides a'convenient leverarm for moving the frame. V

The connection between the support I! and the base In is shown invsection in Fig. 3. The support II has a downwardly extending ring 26,which fits within a bearing 28 in the base. A retaining plate 30 is oflarger diameter than the bearing 28 and is fastened to the ring 26 byscrews. The retaining plate Ill prevents vertical movement of thesupport I2 with respect to the base I 0, but permits rotary movement ofthe support.

A lug 32 on the support I2 extends between 5 screws 34. Each of thesescrews threads through a lug 36 upstanding from the base I0. Locknuts 38hold the screws 34 in any set position. The lug 32 abuts against thescrews 34 to limit the rotary movement of the support I2 on the base I0.The screws 34 are set to permit a limited angular movement of the lug 32before striking the screws 34, so that the operator can move the supportI2 and vary the direction in which the objects are thrown suflicientlyto allow for variations in the wind conditions. Thus, the

screws 34 and the parts with which they cooperate comprise manuallyoperated means for controlling the direction in which the targets arethrown.

Referring again to Fig. 1, a housing 31 is secured to the forward end ofthe frame I4. A shaft 39 is journaled in the housing 31 and has acarrier or throwing arm 40 fastened to its upper end. When the carrierarm is in retracted position, as shown in the drawings, it is directlyabove the frame I4 and substantially parallel to the frame. Differentkinds of carrier arms are used, depending on the shape and size of thetargets or other projectiles to be thrown.

The carrier arm 40 is held in retracted position by a trip latch 42 andhas a downwardly extending lug 44 with a hardened button 46 which abutsagainst the trip latch 42 when this latch is in raised position.

The trip latch 42 is supported for pivotal movement by a pin 48 on theback of a solenoid housing 50. This solenoid housing is iocated behindand is preferably an integral part of the housing 31. A motor 52 isfastened to the frame I4 by screws 54. Power is supplied to the motor.through a cable 56. The motor is angularly disposed on the base I4, asshown in Fig. 2, so that the driving connections between the motor 52and the mechanism in the housing 31 pass to one side of the solenoidhousing 50. These driving connections include a motor shaft 51, aflexible coupling 58, and a worm shaft 59.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 6, the shaft 39 turns in bearings 60 in thehousing 31 and both ends of the shaft extend from the housing. Thecarrier or throwing arm 40 has a split clamp end fitting the upper endofthe shaft 39 clamped to the shaft by a screw 62. A key 64 prevents thearm 40 from turning on the shaft 39.

A crank 66 fastened to the lower end of the shaft 39 by a split clampend with a screw 68 and a key I0 causes the crank and shaft to turn asa. unit. A spring I2 is connected with a pin I4 extending downward fromthe crank. This spring extends under the frame I4 and is anchored to therearward extension of the frame I4 by an eye bolt I6 in which the end ofthe spring hooks. The eye bolt 16 passes through the end of the frame I4and is threaded to receive a wing nut I8. Turning of the nut I8 in onedirection draws the eye bolt further through the end of the frame I4 andincreases the tension of the spring. By turning the nut I8 in theopposite direction the tension of the spring is decreased. The forcewith which the machine throws a target depends on the tension of thespring I2, and the eye bolt and wing nut therefore comprise means forcontrolling the force with which the machine throws the targets.

The crank 66 is secured to the shaft 39 in such relation that when thethrowing arm is stopped in retracted position by the trip latch 42, thecrank 66 is slightly beyond dead center so that the spring I2 holds thethrowing arm against the trip latch. The dead center position of thecrank 66 is the position which it occupies when it has tensioned thespring as far as possible and further movement relieves some of thetension of the spring.

The throwing arm 40 has spaced bosses 80, and a rail 82 is connected tothese bosses by screws. A stud 84 (Fig. 2) near the shaft end of the arm40 serves as a stop for positioning the target. The arm 40 shown in thedrawings is designed for throwing double targets, but other kinds ofthrowing arms can be employed. Targets 86 are shown in position on thethrowing arm in Fig. 1.

Referring again to Figs. 4 and 6, a ratchet wheel 90 is freely rotatableon the shaft 39. The ratchet wheel 90 has a downwardly extending hub 92on which is keyed a worm wheel 94. A worm 96 on the worm shaft 59 isdriven by the motor 52. The worm 98 rotates the worm wheel 94 in acounter-clockwise direction in Fig. 6.

A pawl cage I 00 has a split clamp end fastened to the shaft 39 by a keyI02 and clamping screw I04. A pawl I06 is connected to the pawl cage bya vertical pin I08. A spring I I0 compressed between the pawl I06 andthe cage I00 urges the pawl into engagement with the teeth of theratchet wheel. A cam surface II2 on the tail of the pawl contacts with aroller II4 located in a recess of the housing 31 and cams the pawl outof engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel just after the crank66 passes dead center.

The worm wheel 94 and ratchet wheel 90 rotate continuously at a uniformspeed. When the tail of the pawl is not against the roller II4, thespring IIO holds the pawl against the ratchet wheel, which rotates thepawl cage and shaft 39 to tension the spring I2 and move the throwingarm 40 into retracted position. This pawl and ratchet mechanism is aclutch between the motoroperated mechanism and the shaft 39. The rollerH4 cooperates with the cam surface 2 on the tail of the pawl I06 toautomatically disengage the clutch as soon as the spring I2 istensioned, the arm 40 in retracted position, and the crank 66 beyonddead center so that the spring I2 tends to rotate the shaft 39 in thesame direction as it was turned by the motor. The trip latch 42 holdsthe arm in retracted position.

Fig. 5 shows the button 46 of the throwing arm in contact with the triplatch. The pin 48 by which the trip latch is pivotally supported islocated in such position that the portion of the latch with which thebutton contacts has a component of movement in the same direction as thearm 40 tends to move. The pressure of the arm 40 against the trip latch42 therefore tends to move the latch about the pin 48 and out of thepath of the arm.

The trip latch 42 is held in the path of the arm 40 by a trip latch dogI20, which is pinned on a crank shaft I22 extending from the solenoidhousing 50. A spring I24 normally holds the trip latch dog against astop I26 projecting from the side of the housing 50. A roller I28 at theupper end of the trip latch dog I20 contacts with a curved face I30 ofthe trip latch.

The center of curvature of this face I30 is on the axis of thecrankshaft I22, so that the movement of the roller I28 along the faceI30 does not move the trip latch. This design accurately positions thetrip latch even though there is some variation at timesin the positionof the trip latch dog.

When the crank-shaft I22 is turned in a countor-clockwise direction inFig. 5, the roller I28 moves beyond the end of the face I30 and permitsthe trip latch 42 to drop and release the throwing arm 40.

The power for turning the crank-shaft I22 is furnished by a solenoid I36which attracts an armature I36. A crank arm I40 pinned on thecrank-shaft H22 inside of the housing 50 is connected to the armatureI66 by a link I42.

The operation of the solenoid is controlled by an electric push-buttonswitch I46 at the end of a flexible cable I48. This remote control ofthe solenoid by the switch on the end of the flexible cable isadvantageous when trap shooting because it makes the location of thereferee, or puller, optional, so that he can always be in a position tohear the command to pull.

The operation of the machine will be reviewed briefly. When the carrieror throwing arm 40 is in the retracted position shown inpthe drawings,the spring I2 is tensioned and the crank 66 is slightly beyond deadcenter so that the spring I2 tends to move the arm through its throwingangle. The arm 40 is held in retracted position by the trip latch 42.

At the command of pull the operator presses the push-button switch I46to supply power to the solenoid I36 which attracts the armature I30. Thearmature moves the crank arm I40 to turn the crank-shaft I22. Thisturning movement of the crank-shaft I22 rocks the trip latch dog I20counter-clockwise in Fig. 5 and permits the trip latch 42 to drop out ofthe path of the arm 40. When the arm 40 is released, the spring I2swings the arm quickly through its throwing angle and the targets 86 arehurled into the air with a high speed of rotation resulting from therapidity with which the throwing arm moves.

The momentum carries the throwing arm beyond its outer dead center andfurther movement it causes the crank 66 to again tension the spring 112.During the throwing movement of the arm 40 it turns very much fasterthan'the rotative speed of the ratchet wheel 90, and the pawl thereforeratchets over the teeth of the ratchet wheel.

As soon as the rotative speed of the arm 40 and shaft 26 slows downto'that of the ratcheLwheel, the pawl engages the ratchet teeth, and theshaft 39 is rotated with the ratchet wheel to again tension the springI2 and move the throwing arm 40 back into retracted position.

After the spring I2 is fully tensioned,,the shaft The throwing arm 40approaches retracted position slowly enough to enable the operator to 70place every target in exactly the right position without danger. I

The preferred embodiment of the invention has been described. butchanges and modifications can be made, and various features of theinven- 75 tion used alone or in combination with other features withoutdeparting from the invention defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A throwing machine of the character described comprising a frame, ashaft journaled in the frame at the forward end of the frame with theopposite ends of said'shaft extending above and below said frame; athrowing arm connected withthe upwardly extending end of the shaft andlocated directly above the frame when in retracted position; a crankbelow the frame and connected with the downwardly extending end of saidshaft; a spring connected with the crank for supplying power to operatethe throwing arm; mechanism connectedwith the frame and located betweenthe spring and the retracted throwing arm, said mechanism including anelectric motor for tensioning the spring and moving the throwing arminto retracted position; and an extension at the rearward end of theframe providing an anchor for one end of the spring so that the springextends under substantially the entire length of said mechanism andbeyond the rearward end of said mechanism.

2. The combinationin a throwing machine of a frame; a housing on theframe; a shaft journaled in the housing with its upper and lower endsextending from the housing; a throwing arm secured to the upwardlyextending end of the shaft; a crank secured on the downwardly extendingend of the shaft; a spring connected with the crank for supplying powerto operate the throwing arm; and mechanism within the housing includinga continuously-rotated, motor-driven clutch which automatically engagesthe shaft and continues its rotation after each throwing operation tobring the arm back into retracted position and tension the spring.

3. The combination in a throwing machine, of a frame; a housing on theframe; a shaft journaled in the housing with its upper and lower endsextending from the housing; a throwing arm secured to the upwardlyextending end of the shaft; a crank secured on the downwardly extendingend of the shaft; a spring connected with the crank for supplying powerto operate the throwing arm; clutch mechanism within the housingincluding a pawl and ratchet, one of which is connected with the shaftand the other of which is rotated by a motor; and cam means including aroller on the inside of the housing for disengaging the clutch by movingthe pawl out of contact with the ratchet.

4. In a throwing machine of the character described, a shaft extendingthrough a housing, a carrier arm connected with the upper end of theshaft above the housing, a crank connected with the lower end of theshaft below the housing, a spring connected with the crank for operatingthe shaft and carrier arm to throw a projectile, mechanism including anautomatic clutch for tensioning the spring and moving the throwingarminto retracted position, after each throwing operation, a latch forholding the carrier arm in retracted position, latch-operating means atthe back of the housing, an electric motor behind the latch-operatingmeans, speed-reduction gearing in the housing including a worm wheelconnected with the clutch, and a worm for driving said worm wheel. anddriving connections between said motor and reduction gearing includingshafting extending past one side of the latch-operating means anddiagonally across the machine between the motor and the worm.

' FRANK H. SCHWERIII.

